Vvenc: An Open And Optimized Vvc Encoder Implementation

The recently finalized Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard promises to reduce the video bitrate by 50% compared to its predecessor, High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). The increased efficiency comes at a cost of increased computational burden. The Fraunhofer Versatile Video Encoder VVenC is the first openly available optimized implementation providing access to VVC's efficiency at only 46% of the runtime of the VVC test model VTM, when not using multi-threading. An alternative operating point allows $30 \times$ faster encoding for the price of around 12% bitrate increase, while still providing around 38% bitrate reduction compared to HEVC test model HM. In the fastest configuration, VVenC runs over $140 \times$ faster than VTM while still providing over 10% bitrate reduction compared to HM. Even faster encoding is possible with multi-threading. This paper provides an overview of VVenC's main features and some evaluation results.